Aaloo Gutuk( Kumaoni Dry Potatoe Bhaji)

Aaloo Gutuk or dry aaloo sabji is Kumaoni's favourite when it comes to any festivities. One of my childhood memories include seeing my mother preparing aaloo gutuk specially every Holi with mint chutney with either cucumber raita or dahi vada and serving to all the men and women(holiyar) coming in the house. Friends and relatives visit each other's house to play with colours on the day.
   In my Mom in laws house ladies come  for Holi Milan(get -together) where they sing songs termed holies (songs displaying romance between god and goddesses and celebrating holi.) which is again an awesome kumaoni tradition. Holi in kumaon usually starts from month before (rang ki ekadashi according to lunar calendar) the actual date. Aaloo Gutuk are served with other snackes like bada/vada to this singing group.

Ingredients

1.  Some Boiled Potatoes
2.  Methi Dana/Fenugreek seeds 1/2 teaspoon
3.  Cumin seeds 1/2 teaspoon
4.  Jimbu herb 1/2 teaspoon
5.  Two dried red chillies 1/2 teaspoon
6.  Mustard Oil 1/2 teaspoon

7.  Hing/Asafoetida A pinch

8.  Dhaniya /Coriander powder 1 teaspoon
9.  Red Chilly powder 1/2 teaspoon
10. Salt to taste
11. Haldi /Turmeric powder 1/2 teaspoon

Preparation

Peel boiled potatoes.Cut them in to round pieces. Take mustard oil in a pan. Heat it. Add methi Dana till they are black.Add a pinch of hing,add cumin seeds, Jimbu herb, dried red chillies. Add boiled potatoes for frying.Now add corriander powder, turmeric powder, red chilly powder and salt to taste. Keep it at low flame till potatoes are crisp and golden yellow.Garnish it with parsley.Serve hot.

Pahari Raita(Cucumber Raita/Tzatziki sauce/Tahini)

Pahari Raita as we call it in kumaon, Tzatziki sauce made of Greek yogurt/cheese or Americanised Tahini are just variants of same thing. The beauty of the sauce is its tanginess.
   In kumaon we serve it with Aaloo Gutuk( Dry Aaloo Bhaji),Singals,Bhange ke Chutney.
   In Arabic countries and in American States, it is more likely to be used as a dip. Also to mention kumaonies doesn't add garlic to the dishes in most authentic form.
Mustard is used to give a zingy flavour in raita.

 Ingredients

1. Cucumber
2. Hung Curd/ Yogurt 1/2 kg
3. Rai(Mustard Powder) or Mustard sauce-1/2 teaSpoon
4. 1 Green Chilly
5. Dhaniya(Coriander/Parsley/Cilantro)
6. Salt
7. Haldi(Turmeric powder)

Preparation

Take Cucumber and Grate it. Remove water from grated cucumber for thickness in Raita. Make a paste of chilly and fresh Parsley. Take hung curd in a bowl, add mustard powder or mustard sauce (which is easily available now a days) and Chilly and Parsley paste. Add a pinch of Turmeric powder and mix. Add salt to taste. Add grated cucumber and mix. Leave it in Refrigerator for 1/2 hr. Garnish it with fresh parsley and serve.

Variant

Tzatziki sauce contains garlic paste,olive oil and vinegar for its zingy flavour while American Tahini contains lemon juice for tangy taste.

Singals (Indian Pancakes)

Singals (Indian Pancakes)

If you are a kumaoni ,poojas(Prayers) at home can never be completed without this sweet dish.It is Indian Pancake having a spiral shape like of a Jalebi(again a popular Indian sweet dish). When I got married it was like, am Big Zero in cooking!! and to make a Singal is a craft!! ha..ha..For few early years of my marriage I was totally dependent on my Mom in Law!! -- A Great Cook for all kumaoni dishes.When my husband has to move to this new place for work....I with kids also move, so you see
....Phew!!Children love Singal and husband too!!
So I decided to be on my own!!First few attempts were total failure.. some times the sugar content was less sometimes moyan(Cow Ghee) was more and when cooked in oil it spread and sometimes shape was shapeless(never a spiral).but my constant attempt to make Singals finally paid.Now I can cook them nicely though my endeavor to cook them like my Mom in Law is a distant dream!!

Ingredients

1.Samolina 500 gms
2. Rice Flour 100 gms
3.1 Cup Curd
4. Cold Milk 1 Cup
5. Cow Ghee 3 teaspoon
6. Cardamom Powder
7. Chirongi or charoli(Optional)
8. Oil
9. Sugar 1 cup

Prepation

Mix Samolina,Rice Flour with Milk and keep it for 30-45 mins.Add Curd, Sugar, cardamom powder,chirongi,Ghee. Stir it well till it swell.Take and fold the mixture in palm and give it a spiral shape on a preheated oil pan. cook it in low heat till they are golden brown. 

Hope this will be help to new bahus(brides) in kumaoni house!! :)